Ross Chastain’s aggressive racing fashion backfired spectacularly at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). A primary-lap collision with Chase Elliott in the course of the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix race left the Hendrick Motorsports driver spinning and sparked per week of accountability.
Whereas Elliott clawed again to a fourth-place end, Chastain’s regret lingered. Now, the Trackhouse Racing star is grappling with the results of a transfer he calls “a nasty choice.”
Ross Chastain Owns As much as COTA Mistake That Derailed Chase Elliott
The chaos started seconds after the inexperienced flag. Chastain dove low into Flip 1, squeezing between Kyle Larson and teammate Daniel Suárez. His No. 1 Chevrolet locked brakes, sliding into Elliott’s left rear and sending the No. 9 automobile spiraling to thirty sixth place.
Ross Chastain cleans out Chase Elliott on Lap 1.#NASCAR
pic.twitter.com/VeRuT9QSRb— 24/7 NASCAR (@NASCAR247) March 2, 2025
“From the surface, it doesn’t look good. The intention was … it was an error, a giant error, to go backside of 5 [wide]. That was not crucial,” Chastain admitted days later at Phoenix Raceway. “I want I wouldn’t have did it. Advised Chase that and cleared the air there.”
The incident, which additionally collected Denny Hamlin and Connor Zilisch, drew rapid backlash from Elliott’s team. Chastain’s regret deepened after reviewing replays.
“Unhealthy, dangerous choice to go inside [Larson] after he went inside [Suárez],” he said. “Incorrectly, I assumed we had been gradual sufficient that the best way [Tyler Reddick] launched within the field, I felt decelerate the entrance, so I assumed I had loads of potential to brake.”
However the harm was carried out. Elliott’s shot at contending vanished immediately, a bitter tablet for the 2020 champion, who referred to as his automobile’s dealing with post-collision “irritating.” Chastain, in the meantime, spent the race’s remaining laps yielding positions to Elliott as penance.
“I owed him that and extra,” he stated.
Elliott’s Silent Fury and the Street Forward
Elliott’s response was measured however pointed: “There’s not likely rather a lot for me to touch upon. I hate it occurred,” he informed reporters, refusing to expose particulars of his dialog with Chastain.
“These conversations will not be for you guys. I believe you all respect us sufficient to let that be.”
Chase Elliott did not need to remark a lot on the Ross Chastain transfer in the beginning of COTA. He simply knew the automobile did not run in addition to it had the day prior. pic.twitter.com/9R3BbxeKs8
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 8, 2025
The Hendrick driver’s restraint stood out. His crew had hinted at retaliation in the course of the race, however Elliott opted for a methodical comeback as a substitute. Recent tires and technique propelled him to fourth, a feat he referred to as “proud” but unsatisfying.
“I simply hate we needed to recuperate,” he said.
Followers now surprise if the strain will boil over. Chastain’s historical past of aggressive strikes, like 2022’s “Hail Melon” Martinsville wall trip, has made him polarizing. Elliott, recognized for calm below fireplace, faces a option to both let it go or settle scores later.
For Chastain, the lesson is evident. “I get to dwell with that,” he stated of the COTA incident. However in NASCAR, errors not often keep within the rearview.
